❱❱ The Android Intelligence Story

Look, I get it: Android news sources are a dime a dozen. There are more blogs dedicated to covering mobile technology than anyone can possibly keep track of nowadays, and most mainstream tech sites count Android as part of their coverage, too.

Here's the thing, though: Android Intelligence isn't like those other outlets. From the moment of its birth as a column — way back in June of 2010, when Android was but a niche player in the smartphone game; when BlackBerry was still the industry leader; when the original Moto Droid was the hot new thang on everyone's mind; and when I was one of the few tech journalists taking Google's mobile ambitions seriously (déjà vu, anyone?) — the space beneath my byline has been about going beyond the basics and providing the next-level advice, insight, and analysis that’s so often missing from the fast-moving stream of mobile tech madness.

The way I see it, plenty of places are already addressing the day-to-day developments — what I think of the main entrees in your mobile tech diet. Android Intelligence, then, is here to serve up something fresh and different. It's here to bring a little extra flavor to your plate. It's here to bring you the zesty side dishes and slow-cooked desserts — calories you can enjoy whether you've devoured a thousand news stories in any given week or none. Plain and simple, it's here to make your meal complete. (Anyone else feeling hungry all of a sudden?)

These days, information is everywhere. Android Intelligence is all about context — about putting the pieces together and making sense of the big picture, in a brutally honest way that's free from the overly enthusiastic cheerleading and nauseating hype so often associated with Android coverage. Whether you're reading the columns, expanding your knowledge even further with the newsletter and Platinum Power-Up, or diving deeper yet with the podcast, Android Intelligence is decidedly different from your average Android news. And it's that way by design.

I hope you enjoy consuming it as much as I enjoy creating it.

JR Raphael, Author/Executive Chef/Person Currently Eating Custard

❱❱ The Android Intelligence Story

Look, I get it: Android news sources are a dime a dozen. There are more blogs dedicated to covering mobile technology than anyone can possibly keep track of nowadays, and most mainstream tech sites count Android as part of their coverage, too.

Here's the thing, though: Android Intelligence isn't like those other outlets. From the moment of its birth as a column — way back in June of 2010, when Android was but a niche player in the smartphone game; when BlackBerry was still the industry leader; when the original Moto Droid was the hot new thang on everyone's mind; and when I was one of the few tech journalists taking Google's mobile ambitions seriously (déjà vu, anyone?) — the space beneath my byline has been about going beyond the basics and providing the next-level advice, insight, and analysis that’s so often missing from the fast-moving stream of mobile tech madness.

The way I see it, plenty of places are already addressing the day-to-day developments — what I think of the main entrees in your mobile tech diet. Android Intelligence, then, is here to serve up something fresh and different. It's here to bring a little extra flavor to your plate. It's here to bring you the zesty side dishes and slow-cooked desserts — calories you can enjoy whether you've devoured a thousand news stories in any given week or none. Plain and simple, it's here to make your meal complete. (Anyone else feeling hungry all of a sudden?)

These days, information is everywhere. Android Intelligence is all about context — about putting the pieces together and making sense of the big picture, in a brutally honest way that's free from the overly enthusiastic cheerleading and nauseating hype so often associated with Android coverage. Whether you're reading the columns, expanding your knowledge even further with the newsletter and Platinum Power-Up, or diving deeper yet with the podcast, Android Intelligence is decidedly different from your average Android news. And it's that way by design.

I hope you enjoy consuming it as much as I enjoy creating it.

JR Raphael, Author/Executive Chef/Person Currently Eating Custard

❱❱ Wait, Who The Hell Is This Guy, Again?

JR Raphael is a journalist and columnist who's been covering Android and Chrome OS since their earliest days. His Android Intelligence (née Android Power) column was born at Computerworld in 2010 and has happily made its home there ever since. These days, Android Intelligence includes not only the column but also the independent weekly newsletter, tips digest, and podcast along with the resource-packed Platinum Lounge.

JR's written about practically everything imaginable at some point and continues to write regular features on a variety of subjects for both Computerworld and other publications. Lately, he's been penning pieces about productivity for Fast Company and how-to guides on all sorts of tech topics for The Verge. Oh, and random fact: He was quoted in Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography of Steve Jobs, talking about — what else? — porn. (Totally not kidding about that, by the way.)

JR Raphael is a journalist and columnist who's been covering Android and Chrome OS since their earliest days. His Android Intelligence (née Android Power) column was born at Computerworld in 2010 and has happily made its home there ever since. These days, Android Intelligence includes not only the column but also the independent weekly newsletter, tips digest, and podcast along with the resource-packed Platinum Lounge.

JR's written about practically everything imaginable at some point and continues to write regular features on a variety of subjects for both Computerworld and other publications. Lately, he's been penning pieces about productivity for Fast Company and how-to guides on all sorts of tech topics for The Verge. Oh, and random fact: He was quoted in Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography of Steve Jobs, talking about — what else? — porn. (Totally not kidding about that, by the way.)

JR loves bringing logic, context, and plain-English perspective into areas frequently guided by emotion, jargon, and uninformed reactions. He's obsessed with productivity and finding clever ways to make the most of our modern technology. He enjoys chewing, breathing, and dancing with wolves. And he's really good at writing about himself convincingly in the third-person.

❱❱ A Special Acknowledgment

My sincerest thanks to the charter Android Intelligence Platinum members, whose early support helped create the foundation for the newsletter and this website:

Buck Amey

Richard Baierschmidt

David Baukman

Buzz Baylis

John Bowdre

Quent Cassen

William Cheng

William Cunninghame

Ray Dabkowski

Bob Day

Peter Firth

Mark Fogle

Ian Forshaw

Ron Fussell

Daniel Grobani

Lee H.

Barry Horne

Thomas Hornik

Craig Kilgour

Michael Kizer

Jacob Klay

Woody Leonhard

Patrick McAfee

Donald Nelson

Cecil New

Michael Oliffe

Philip Salen

Donald Stewart

Stephen Syputa

Kevin C. Tofel

Nancy Triggs

Mary Willoughby

Steve Wilson

These fine folks established this community with me before its virtual walls were even fully constructed — and they have my everlasting gratitude for their early belief in the value of this independent editorial effort.

As an Android Intelligence Platinum member, you gain access to all sorts of productivity-boosting resources. Here’s what’ll be at your fingertips:

The Platinum Power-Up: A weekly subject-specific guidebook to help you get even more out of your favorite devices. Whether you’re a power user or a mobile-tech novice, you’re guaranteed to learn tons of useful stuff.

The Platinum Edition Newsletter: Practical tips and plain-English perspective in your inbox every Friday — along with deep reads, reader questions, and other tasty tidbits that aren’t available to everyone else.

The Platinum Podcast: An in-depth, brutally honest (and sometimes slightly colorful) conversation between us about the stories that matter and the perspective you need to process ’em — along with some light-hearted laughs and other interesting extras.

Android Intelligence Interactive: A members-only forum with direct access to yours truly. I’m never out of reach — and I’m always available to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations and tech advice. (Or you can just peek in on what other people are asking!)

The Complete Tips Collection: The newsletter and Power-Up’s most practical knowledge, collected and kept up-to-date in a single searchable spot for your productivity-boosting pleasure.

My Essential Android Apps: A regularly updated list of recommendations showcasing my most important apps and how they fit into my workflow (and non-work flow, too!).

My Essential Chrome Extensions: A detailed and always evolving guide to the extensions and add-ons that turn Chrome into my optimal work environment — whether on a Chrome OS device or in the regular Chrome browser.

How I Use Android: A breakdown of the current devices and accessories I find indispensable in my own day-to-day life — plus an up-close look at how my home screen is optimized for efficiency.

How I Use Chrome OS: A dynamic tour of the devices, accessories, and setups I personally use to stay productive on a Chromebook and Chromebox.

The Complete Newsletter and Power-Up Collections: Every issue ever published, at your fingertips. Browse at your leisure and download on demand for easy offline reading.

The Platinum Wallpaper Collection: An exclusive series of Android Intelligence wallpapers along with handpicked minimalist favorites to give your phone or desktop a striking new look.

The Platinum Discount Store: Access to a special version of the Android Intelligence Store with a permanent 20% discount on all current and future Android Intelligence merchandise.

Members-Only Giveaways: Occasional giveaways of Android Intelligence goodies and mobile tech gadgets — with just the small pool of Platinum members in the running, so pretty decent odds of winning at least once in a while!

And More: The Platinum membership program is always expanding — and it’s your community, so I’m always on the lookout for suggestions on what you want to see. Expect new perks and benefits to appear periodically over time.

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When you subscribe to the Android Intelligence Platinum podcast, you gain access to all sorts of productivity-boosting resources beyond just the weekly audio show. Here’s what’ll be at your fingertips:

The Platinum Power-Up: A special collection of bonus tips and app recommendations prepared exclusively for Platinum members every Monday. Whether you’re a power user or a mobile-tech novice, you’re guaranteed to learn tons of useful stuff.

The Platinum Edition Newsletter: Practical tips and plain-English perspective in your inbox every Friday — along with deep reads, quick hits, and other tasty tidbits that aren’t available to everyone else.

Android Intelligence Interactive: A members-only forum with direct access to yours truly. I’m never out of reach — and I’m always available to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations and tech advice. (Or you can just peek in on what other people are asking!)

The Complete Tips Collection: The newsletter’s most practical knowledge, collected and kept up-to-date in a single searchable spot for your productivity-boosting pleasure.

My Essential Android Apps: A regularly updated list of recommendations showcasing my most important apps and how they fit into my workflow (and non-work flow, too!).

My Essential Chrome Extensions: A detailed and always evolving guide to the extensions and add-ons that turn Chrome into my optimal work environment — whether on a Chrome OS device or in the regular Chrome browser.

How I Use Android: A breakdown of the current devices and accessories I find indispensable in my own day-to-day life — plus an up-close look at how my home screen is optimized for efficiency.

How I Use Chrome OS: A dynamic tour of the devices, accessories, and setups I personally use to stay productive on a Chromebook and Chromebox.

The Complete Newsletter Collection: Every issue ever published, at your fingertips. Browse at your leisure and download on demand for easy offline reading.

The Platinum Wallpaper Collection: An exclusive series of Android Intelligence wallpapers along with handpicked minimalist favorites to give your phone or desktop a striking new look.

The Platinum Discount Store: Access to a special version of the Android Intelligence Store with a permanent 20% discount on all current and future Android Intelligence merchandise.

Members-Only Giveaways: Occasional giveaways of Android Intelligence goodies and mobile tech gadgets — with just the small pool of Platinum members in the running, so pretty decent odds of winning at least once in a while!

And More: The Platinum membership program is always expanding — and it’s your community, so I’m always on the lookout for suggestions on what you want to see. Expect new perks and benefits to appear periodically over time.

(Tap or click anywhere outside of this box to close it.)

Start your free trial membership and check out all the Platinum perks: